War Women Posters

Wartime women posters were primarily created during World War II when these vintage recruiting images were used to encourage women to enlist. However, although these works are considered wartime women posters, many of these works recruited for the Red Cross and other non-combat positions.
These historically relevant pictures were some of the first instances of woman independence and many women rights prints have been adapted from these vintage recruiting images.
These wartime women posters were unique during the time they were created. Although there had been many historically relevant pictures that focused on women recruitment during World War I, it wasn't until these vintage recruiting images were created that women were displayed as independent people rather than angels of mercy. Works like 'I Want You For the Navy' and 'Join the Navy' were meant to emote resolve, and sometimes shame, in men however these wartime women posters also ended up being adapted as women rights prints during the women rights movement.

Like many vintage recruiting images, wartime women posters were generally realistic in nature. Brightly colored images like 'We Can Do It!' by J. Howard Miller were particularly popular wartime women posters. Additionally, these vintage recruiting images also inspired such infamous artists as Lichtenstein, who found the juxtaposition of retro graphic design and realistic subjects fascinating.

These works are collected by art and history enthusiasts because they're historically relevant pictures. These works were not only important as wartime women posters or vintage recruiting images. Rather, these wartime women posters are relevant because they sparked new ideas about equality, society, and the direction of art.